La. legislators have decided to take up the fight against anti-gun proponents. La. Senator Neil Riser, R-Columbia, has proposed a state amendment that would make it harder for schools, college campuses, churches and other public institutions to ban firearms from their premises. The bill, which is backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), was passed in the La. Senate 31-6 and has now moved on to the La. House of Representatives. If it passes, the amendment would move to a statewide vote in November.
The proposed amendment has news outlets and members of the community in an uproar. In an April 16, 2012 editorial at www.theadvocate.com entitled “Our Views: New gun law not needed,” it is argued that voting yes for the amendment is the same as saying that “there is no such thing as accidental discharges.” While I understand the concerns brought up in this editorial piece, I have to say that I disagree wholeheartedly.
First of all, the amendment will still allow colleges to ban firearms from their campus provided that they can prove there is a “compelling interest” for the restrictions to a court. If the interest is strong enough then firearms will still be banned from the campus.
However, I believe there is strong reason for colleges to consider allowing students to carry.
If we take a look at the infamous shootings of the last 20 years that occur on college and school campuses, it becomes clear why a change in policy is needed. While it seems intuitive for anti-gun laws to be in place, the only thing they really succeed at is keeping hundreds of students helplessly locked in a room. The people who committed those atrocities certainly were not following the law and did not care whether or not guns were allowed on campus.
While it is scary to imagine sitting in a class full of guns, I feel that if someone did come in with the intention of causing harm to a room full of students it would be those students who are armed that might be able to control the situation until the police arrive.
I cannot help but think how the plotters of school and college shootings might not be so willing to carry out their plan if there was even the slightest chance of them being stopped before they could do any damage.
There is always an opportunity for accidents to happen, but I feel as if anti-gun proponents took up the fight to control who can have a gun over where you can have one they might find more success.
Senator Riser has said the amendment is a fight to strengthen Second Amendment rights in La. and, while I feel he would have more success arguing for the practicality of this amendment, our representatives obviously agree with his point of view as shown by the vote.
This amendment is a huge deal and will change the face of college campuses in our state. Whether you are for it or against it, the only way your voice will be heard is by participating in the political process. Do the research, read the law and decide for yourself. In the end, the vote will be up to you.